Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-05
Story OF Baron Seilliere.
YOUNG NOBLENAS, WITH AMERICAN CITTzENsH
CONEINEn

~ hOCst AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP,
CONFINED IN An ASYLUM IN FRANCE.
The state Department Is still investigating the
case OF Baron Raymond Seilliere. While he was in
washington few months ago he was introduced
10 the President, and received the hospitality OF
many prominent people. The baron went home to
adjust some property disputes with his sister, the
Princess De Gagan. Less than a fortnight after
The baron's return 70 Paris he was arrested and
Imprisoned in a lunatic asylum on the demand OF
his family Thus far our Government has, as Mr..
McLane, United States minister In Paris, stated a
Few days ago. used only It's good OFFICES, but as the
matter has since then been presented In differ
emf aspect. and evidence exists that Baron
Seilliere has been deprived OF his liberty by con-
syiracy, the next move may be demand for his
release
The New York Times prints the following his
tory OF the case Of Baron Seiliiere: About year
ago a tall MISUNDERSTANDING man OF forty
Years, with an arlStOcratic face ana sweeping
black mustache, arrived in san Francisco on his
way TO his home In Paris after a tour around
the world. IL quickly became known Ia the Pacific
metropolis that he was Baron Seilliere and at the
Palace Hotel, IN san Francisco, and the Hotel Del
Monte 40 Monterey, ne soon became a familiar
and remarkable figure.
The coquettish young women Of the first circles
there very quickly christened him "The Dear
Baron and being man OF brilliant attachments,
wide experience and amusing eccentricltleS, he
became widely known and very popular. He also
took great fancy 10 California, often declared MS
Intention OF settling there and, though this was
regarded as joke, II was serious matter TO him.
as he went into the [. 5. Court and declared his
Intention of becoming citizen Finally he lett
there and came to this city.
In a short time he was as well known at the
Hoffman House as he had been at the Palace. He
possessed enormous wealth, and spent his money
lavishly. He made quite circle OF friends here,
and when be left here for Paris was very generally
regretted by some Of the best known men in town.
These men are now not little excited over certain
occurrences which are set forth in letter
writer is an excity oficial of high repu-
tation and unquestionable yerac1ty, In an
Interview last evening he said: Il nIst re,
since arrived giving me full particulars Baron
Seflliere went home 10 adjust some property DIS
puteS with his sister. the Princess de Sagan, the
vile OF the president OF the Jockey Club, and one
or the oest-knOwn ladies IL Europe. Selll1ere'5
auat, the Duchesse de Bergh, and his brother
Frank, who lives at his estate at Weildbad,
sellliere had scarcely arrived there
before he received intimatiOn that there was some
kind OF a conspiracy on foot against him, and he
made his friends promise that If he disappeared
they would hunt him up. He did disappear,
and they did hunt him up, finding that, While
Mt his aunt's hotel, he had been seized by three
men, bound and carried 10 the insane asylum at
yanncs, of which DR.. Falret is director. They
learned further that Seillere had been decoye into
a state OF extreme anger, in which he, being very
nervous individual, doubtless reached an ao-
normal PITCH and in preparation for IL the Princess
de Sag&n. DR. Mattett, and a medical reporter
named Segnan were concealed behind screen.
They tOoh their own notes OF what had passed,
and according 10 the letters, their testimony sur
feed arIet his seizure to accomplish his commit
ment. Since that time Baron Seilliere has been a
close prisoner in Il mad-hOuoe."
The lette. OF his friend says: "ThiS case has al
ready assumed an International character from the
fact that VI. de Seiere has declared his intention
% becoming citizen Of the United States, and 1t
Is attracting more than ordinary Interest not only
IN Paris butu his country and particularly in this
city, where he well known In social circles.
Baron Raymond Selliere IS son or Baron Seiilere,
who WAS the head OF the well-knOwn banking
house in PufS and the owner OF the most extensive
Cloth mills IN France. The De SeilliereS possess
great wealth. yarf0usly estimated al from
$4,000, 600 70 s1OO000000 or which large pro-
portion. In the natural order of things, would re-
vert 10 The baron, who is liberal and generous to
fault, at times profuse in his expenditures,
and who has diminished his share consider
ably. To prevent further decrease and TO get pos
session OF the balance, which amounts TO several
millions, was undoubtedly the reason OF his I'M
prisOnnent- The mystery surrounding the whole
matter, and the impenetrable secrecy preserved
as 10 his whereabouts, increased the ex-
element caused by his disappearance.
His friends. thoroughly alarmed. engaged
experienced detectives, and he was traced
10 insane asylum in Vannes. There
he remains, and i, likely 10 remain,
unless our Government, recognizing MS
claim TO citizenship, demands his release,
or until public opinion i'll France Is aroused
10 action and demands the instant repeal or the
dangerous and Ubiquitous law OF 1898, which gives
the family absolute power in the management and
disposal OF an insane member.